Chacapella is an all-girl singing group which bills itself as ‘the youngest a cappella group on the Fringe’. Aged 15-18, they are all students from Channing School in north London. However, this is no ordinary school group, since they are here independently, having simply got together at lunchtimes and after school to share their love of music. Formed by the inspirational and infectiously enthusiastic Lisa Karlim (who arranged most of their material), they have a deeply-held belief that mainstream music can be glorious and is always ripe for a mash-up.
Their presentation was a little uncertain and there was a fair number of fluffed handovers and improvised links between songs. The Fringe has become fertile ground for some of the world’s leading student a cappella groups and Chacapella are not up there with the best. Not yet at least. What they do produce is a confident hour of sheer, unfettered joyous music. They love what they’re doing and they belt out their tunes with a self-assurance that belies their years. What they lack in refinement, they more than make up for in ambition and volume. There are no passengers in this group and although there are a few pitchy top notes, there are also some stand-out performances. Emily Ooi impresses from the outset and her lead vocal with Katie Hind was a particular high point.
This was an enjoyable hour watching a group of young people give it their all. They would benefit from some advice from more experienced performers to help them with their vocal (and physical) choreography in the future. However, they get an extra star because of their backstory. These girls have come to Edinburgh with no adult supervision, they have done it all themselves (only to be made unexpectedly homeless upon arrival at their digs). Everything they do (including their ticket sales) is in aid of a charity set up in memory of a friend who died a couple of years ago. These girls may be untrained and learning their trade, but they were having a ball and their audience was too. Raising money for charity on the way, an hour spent in their company supporting them is time well spent.
